Friends co-stars take to social media to honor Matthew Perry with emotional tributes

As the Friends creators put it best, this truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken. On Saturday, Oct. 28, fans across the globe who grew up watching Friends were devasted by the news that actor Mathew Perry had passed away at the age of 54 after being discovered unresponsive in his Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles home.

The tragic news has left fans of NBC’s beloved sitcom speechless and heartbroken, with fans flocking to social media with tributes for the late actor whose legacy will live on through his many iconic performances. Of course, at the top of that list will always be Chandler Bing, one of the core members of the Friends cast who was known for his quirky personality, quick wit, and iconic one-liners.

As the world continues to mourn the loss of the late Friends star, many of Perry’s former Friends co-stars have taken to social media to honor their late friend and colleague through emotional tributes remembering the late actor for his humor and the joy he brought into the world.

Friends cast remembers Matthew Perry with heartfelt tributes

While the main Friends cast members including Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Courteney Cox have understandably yet to publically share direct tributes to Perry, the quintet released a joint statement to People mourning the “unfathomable loss” of their friend and former costar:

"“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement continues. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”"

In wake of Perry’s death, the Friends community has rallied together to honor the actor whose performance touched many over the years.

Actress Maggie Wheeler, who played Perry’s on-again-off-again girlfriend Janice on the hit series, was among the first to take to social media to celebrate her former co-star and the blessing of working alongside him.

"“What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew Perry,” Wheeler wrote. “The joy you brought to so many in your too-short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”"

Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mom Nora Tyler Bing over the years, sent her love and condolences to Perry’s loved ones, calling her TV son a, “brilliant young actor” whose passing has left her “heartbroken.”

Criminal Minds actress Paget Brewster, who shared a romantic guest arc with Perry’s Chandler during the fourth season of Friends, was among the many former co-stars who kept in touch with Perry over the years and was moved by his recent memoir which she encouraged fans to read the book and remember “it was his legacy to help.”

Hank Azaria, who portrayed David, Phoebe’s on-and-off love interest on Friends, shared an emotional tribute to Perry on X (formerly Twitter) calling Perry “the first friend” he met in Los Angeles who became “like a brother” after they met years before Friends while working together on a pilot. “He was so brilliant,” Azaria said of his late friend while addressing the personal battles Perry addressed publically in his recent memoir.

“He had a gentleness and generosity of spirit that was unparalleled. I learned how to tell a joke perfectly just by watching him work. And I will never forget the moment he leaned in, on my first night of taping Friends, to tell me warmly, ‘get ready for your life to change.’ Rest well, Matthew Perry. Thank you for the kindness and laughter,” wrote Aisha Tyler on Instagram, who recurred on the show’s final two seasons playing paleontology professor Charlie Wheeler.

“My oldest boy friend. All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I’m broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams,” actress Selma Blair shared on Instagram. Blair guest starred Friends in season 9’s “The One With Christmas in Tulsa,” as Wendy, the regional vice president of the Oklahoma branch of the company Chandler worked for who just so happened to also be a former Miss Oklahoma runner-up who gets a bit too flirty when they get stuck at the office on Christmas.

Like many fans across the globe Friends co-creators/executive producers Marta Kauffman and David Crane along with series EP/director Kevin Bright are still in shock by the loss of a beloved friend. In a joint statement, the trio celebrated the legacy of Perry who from day one embodied the role of Chandler Bing in a way no one else could. In a callback to the show’s episode title format, the trio aptly noted, “this truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken:

"“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives.He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment — not just to his work, but in life as well. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”"